I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -Jesus

-John 14:6

Monday, July 27, 2015

Many Germans Quit Membership in Cath.Church; Most Against Paying Unique German Church Tax

Many Germans have renounced their membership of the Catholic Church, according to new statistics, the Catholic News website reports today (July 27, 2015).

Figures show that the numbers leaving the Church in 2014 was 22 percent higher than in the previous year, going from 178,805 to 217,716.

Not only has this reduction affected the size of the Catholic community, but also the amount of income that the Church receives via the Church tax.

If a person is baptized as a child in Germany, he (or she) is considered a member of the Church and liable to pay the Church tax, an arrangement that was formalized in the 19th century. It is believed that the existence of this tax acts as a major factor in motivating many Germans to make a formal renunciation of their faith.

About Me

I am of the Eastern Orthodox faith and a member of the Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church in Lowell, MA. I am married and the father of two grown married daughters with children, all belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church.

I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with a concentration in International Affairs, and a Master of Education degree from Northeastern University.

I worked as an education specialist for the federal government for two decades before retiring.

Blog Goal
The primary goal of the Theology and Society blog is to provide its readers with a brief informative description of contemporary theological issues and events, and the impact they may have on society.